Meter starts at the curb outside T’s main exit
Yellow Cab lines up directly outside the main terminal doors at Charlottesville Albemarle (T), so you walk maybe 30–60 seconds from baggage claim to the queue. Look for the signed “Taxis” pickup lane; cars usually idle there during normal flight banks, especially around the morning and late-afternoon departures.
Rides run on a standard metered fare, with the meter starting when you get in at the terminal curb. For rough planning, expect a trip into downtown Charlottesville (about 10–12 miles) to land in the $25–$40 range before tip, depending on traffic along US-29 and city lights. Ask the driver for a ballpark total before you pull away if you’re watching budget.
Service is 24/7 on paper, but the strongest coverage tracks flight schedules, especially 6:00–22:00. For very early flights before 5:00 or late arrivals after 23:00, call Yellow Cab at least 30–45 minutes ahead so a car is committed to your pickup at CHO’s T terminal. That phone call is the difference between rolling out in 5 minutes or waiting on an off-duty driver.
Figure 15–25 minutes from the airport to the Downtown Mall area in light traffic, and 25–35 minutes if you’re heading toward the University of Virginia campus during class change or game days. The driver will usually go via Airport Rd to US-29 and then cut toward town on Barracks Rd, Hydraulic Rd, or Rio Rd depending on your exact address.
Most Yellow Cab sedans comfortably fit 3–4 passengers plus 2–3 checked-size bags in the trunk. If you’re moving ski bags, golf clubs, or more than 4 people, say so when you call from the terminal at CHO so they can send a van or larger vehicle; that call from the baggage claim carousel saves a second wait at the curb.
Tip: walk past the rental car counters near baggage claim before heading out; grab their free printed area map and hand it to the driver if you have a rental-home address out on a county road without a clear house number marker.